How the new FIM chief steward assesses the crash

the incident. The 55-year-old New Zealander will continue to accompany the broadcasts of rights holder Dorna as an expert and commentator until the end of the season and tends to see the blame with Alex Marquez.

Simon Crafar replaced Freddie Spencer as FIM Chief Steward the following year

Photo: LAT

“Alex Marquez braked too late in the corner (before). Then he didn't want to give up his position,” Crafar describes his view of things. “Both drivers drove on this narrow line where grip was good.”

“'Pecco' was in front. Alex should have given up the position,” Crafar is convinced. Crafar doubted that Alex Marquez did not see the red Ducati next to him. Because of the pit board, Marquez knew that there was another rider directly behind him. “Alex saw that 'Pecco' was coming closer. He made up 2.5 seconds within a few laps,” said Crafar. And the mistake in turn 12 opened the door. Even before the riders began to lean, Bagnaia was slightly ahead.

Alex Marquez could have prevented the crash by briefly taking his foot off the accelerator

Photo: Motorsport Images

“Both of them entered the corner determinedly, but 'Pecco' was in front,” Crafar acknowledged, and concluded: “When sprinting to the next corner, the driver who is behind has to pull back.” In contrast to the current stewards, however, Crafar did not have all the perspectives available to him for his assessment. The 55-year-old New Zealander therefore refrained from assigning any clear blame.

Why Francesco Bagnaia was unable to back out

According to Crafar, the poor grip conditions on the newly asphalted track at Motorland Aragon played a key role. This is also one of the reasons why Bagnaia could not back off, because backing off before the corner would have inevitably led to a ride into the gravel and probably a fall.

Francesco Bagnaia was lucky that he was not seriously injured

Photo: Motorsport Images

“'Pecco' had to take the corner with determination. It's a very fast corner. You have to ride on this narrow strip. If you raise the bike up to give the rider behind you space, you end up on the dirty part. And then you go off the track or even crash,” Crafar analyzed Bagnaia's situation.

According to Crafar, Bagnaia would have reacted differently than Alex Marquez. “Nine times out of ten, 'Pecco' would have given up position and accepted being overtaken. Then he would have prepared himself to launch a counterattack,” noted Crafar.

Alex Hofmann also blames the conditions

ServusTV expert Alex Hofmann also classifies the incident as a racing accident and blames the poor conditions. “The racing line is so narrow,” says Hofmann, referring to the less than ideal grip conditions in Aragon.

Alex Hofmann refrained from assigning any clear blame

Photo: ServusTV

“After Alex Marquez's mistake, both riders were completely desperate to get back on the line,” Hofmann describes his view of things. “Alex was busy keeping the bike straight and getting back on the line. 'Pecco' tried to seize the moment instead.”

Hofmann was not surprised that Alex Marquez did not give in. “Of course, Alex already had one foot on the podium in his mind and wanted to experience the party with his brother. It was of course a desperate attempt to resist. It all came together at a bad time because there was only one meter of good ideal line,” Hofmann commented at ServusTV

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